Popcorn Kernels

Broad Question

Does the brand of popcorn effect the amount of unpopped kernels?

Specific Question

Which brand of popcorn leaves the least amount of unpopped kernels Orville Redenbacher, Pop secret, or Hannaford brand?

Hypothesis

I hypothesize that the brand does leave different amounts and Orville Redenbacher will leave the least amount of unpopped kernels.

Variables

Independent Variable:

popcorn brand

Dependent Variable:

amount of kernels

Variables That Need To Be Controlled:

average kernels

Graph of Hypothesis

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Experimental Design

I will conduct my experiment at my house. There will only be one person involved in this experiment and that will be me. I will need to conduct at least three trials for each of the brands of popcorn to get and accurate average of the amount of kernels. I will record my data on an already printed out data table as I progress through my experiment. My experiment will be documented by writing down the data table I will make and then record it on the wiki.

Materials List

Orville Redenbacher
Pop Secret
Hannaford Brand
Microwave
3 big bowls
Timer
Plastic bags

Detailed Procedure

Step 1: collect all materials.
Step 2: put in the first bag of popcorn in the microwave.
Step 3: set the timer for 3 minutes.
Step 4: start the popping and listen until the popping slows down to one every five seconds and turn off timer.
Step 5: empty the bag of popcorn in a bowl.
Step 6: count the amount of unpopped kernels left in the bag.
Step 7: record the amount.
Step 8: repeat steps 2-7.
Step 9: record the data onto the wiki

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Background Research and References

1. Source: http://www.cool-science-projects.com/popcorn-science-project.html. Web. 7 Feb. 2012.

2. Source: http://www.experiment-resources.com/experiments-with-popcorn.html. Web. 7 Feb. 2012.

3. Source: http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/project481_39.html. Web. 7 Feb. 2012.

When the kernel was heated at a relatively low temperature, the water inside evaporated. Popcorn pops because each kernel has a tiny bit of water inside it. When the kernels are heated, the water inside heats up to the point where it exerts enough pressure to burst the kernel open. The soft material inside puffs up as it expands. Popcorn is very hot when it comes out of the popper so handle with intelligence.

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Results

Data Table

Graphs

Photos

Conclusion

The purpose fro this experiment was to figure out which popcorn brand had the least amount of unpopped kernels. I did three trials for each brand then averaged them up. The results wound up being that Orville Redenbacher had the least amount of kernels unpopped with an average of 36 kernels. Pop Secret had the second least with 58 kernels and the Hannaford brand had the most with 76 kernels.

Discussion

My hypothesis was that Orville Redenbacher would have the least amount of unpopped kernels. My results did indeed support my hypothesis. The only patterns shown were the amount of kernels from the same bag out of the three trials. The relation ship between the popcorn and the amount of kernels was that strong because the different brands had higher and lower amounts but the same brand stayed in a ten amount range.
The tests went smoothly because I did one brand at a time for three trials then moved onto the next. If I could improve my experiment I would test more brands than I did. A future study that could be interesting would be testing the amount of popped kernels. I could use all the same brands but count the pieces you can eat.